N.B.—For demonstrative, etc., adjectives, see also Pronouns, Demonstrative, etc. Note sam(m)yn (same) as adjective and adverb (V. 72, XII. 49, etc.). Distinguish ilk(e) = same (A.S. ylc) from the distributive ilk (A.S. æle) = each. Others are sik (syk), swilc, etc.
Pronouns.
Personal.—1. In MS. E besides I is found the strong form Ik or Ic (A.S. Ic). The latter is entirely wanting in C, which has everywhere I.
2. The third person feminine is scho (A.S. sēo), once spelled sche (XIII. 635), a Southern effect, where, however, E has scho.
3. Note the gen. sing. mas. and gen. plur. in magre his, in spite of him, and magre thairis, in spite of them.
Possessive.—1. The genitive cases of the personal pronouns are most often adjectives. Before words beginning with a vowel they are mine, thine; before words beginning with a consonant they become my, thi; words beginning with h may have either form.
2. The forms used absolutely are myn, his, ours, yhouris, thaires: That suld be myn (V. 223), etc.
Reflexive.—1. The personal pronouns serve as reflexives: I will me spied (XI. 638); And went hyr hame (V. 177).
2. There is also the form in self, more seldom selvyn, selvin. When the subject is a personal pronoun this may drop out: that himself suld wele Kepe the entre (XI. 445).
3. Self is both singular and plural: That thai mycht help thameself (X. 619).